I've had this CD for a long time and as my system has evolved this recording just continues to sound better as a reflection of the improvements. So I give much credit to the recording engineer who obviously had good ears and talent.
Charles,

charles1dad March 03, 2014 21:11

Interesting that when the Tenor Sax comes in, I don't feel the same magic. Perhaps a lesser player with a less compelling tone.

jetrexpro March 03, 2014 20:26

Charles/Dan, I am listening to "Jim" on vinyl as I write this and struck by the sheer presence of the trumpet. I hear the air and space around it that makes for that in the room feeling. Sarah's voice has that same presence. What is striking about this album is how it sounds old, but also sounds fully extended in the bass and treble. The mid range is glorious!

It goes to show how important the information from 100Hz to 10kHz is. What an amazing sound engineer and wonderful tube equipment that was used to record this record. Not to mention the almost perfect god given tone of Sarah's voice and Clifford's trumpet. As a musician, you either have that gift or you don't. The flute just entered on "He's My Guy" and wow such a fully realized flute sound. Glorious stuff that is 60 years old.

jetrexpro March 03, 2014 20:10

Hey Dan,
Good to hear that! Enjoying your music is the sole reason for this fun hobby of ours.
Charles,

charles1dad March 03, 2014 20:04

Hi Charles,

Yes, Clifford's playing is superb. Funny situation last night, I changed back to the Zu Denon 103R/ESCCO-modded cartridge, and checked every set up parameter again. Everything was spot-on, the only thing that changed, was a bit less VTF, and a bit of VTA change. (With the Dynavector arm, Riggle VTAF system, and carts all mounted on their own headshells, change-outs are quick and painless.

Anyway, I played the Sarah Vaugn/Clifford Brown LP again, and damned if it didn't sound a whole lot better! No trace of sibilance, just gorgeous music-making. Go figure.

I also broke out the King James Sheffield Labs, really had my toes tapping! Also Lee Morgan's "Tom Cat" (45 RPM version) and Oliver Nelson's "The Blues and The Absolute Truth" (also 45 RPM). Now I think I better check the XX2MKII.

So, it turned out to be one of the best nights of listening for some time, and the best the 103R has sounded yet. Very happy camper.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 03, 2014 19:06

Dan,
I only meant did you like Clifford Brown's playing as much as Sarah's singing. His trumpet sounds so good on this recording, nothing more. I share your thoughts regarding all genres of music should be handled well by a good system.
Charles,

charles1dad March 03, 2014 03:14

Hi Charles,

I haven't heard all that many different systems (I don't get out much!), but Clifford's trumpet sounds, to me, like a trumpet should. I know that's somewhat of an inane response, but I'm tucked away on an island, 100 miles away from the nearest large city (Seattle), so it's very rare I get to listen and compare systems. (and trumpets!)

I've got friends in Portland five or six hours away, and one friend on Camano Island, about an hour and a half drive, and that's it. Pretty much cloistered away here, new audio friends are always welcome.

I don't know, my system sounds good to me with any type of music I throw at it, which to me is a requirement of any good system. I think trying to optomize a system to suit a particular type of music is defeating the purpose of having a good, all-around system. That's what I think anyway, but whatever floats your particular boat is what's right for you.

I don't know if that answers your question, I hope so, aside from being overly long, for which I apologize.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 03, 2014 02:53

Hi Dan,
How does Clifford's trumpet come across with your system? I love the entire CD but his solo on the song "Jim" just connects with me no matter how often I've heard it, pure emotion in his horn. Paul Quinichette's tenor saxophone is beautifully played and captured, what a lovely full tone he had.
Charles,

charles1dad March 02, 2014 21:43

After reading Charles1dad's comments regarding Sarah Vaugn's Emarcy MG-36004, I decided it was time to revisit this recording. I had swapped the Dynavector XX2MKII back in, and had a listen.

As most of you know, this is a very "hot" recording, that will make you fully aware of any shortfalls in your playback chain.

It sounded the best it's ever sounded, with some sibilance on one of Sarah's vocal tracks. The extremely hard to track flute crescendo on the end of side two was nearly perfect, just the slightest bit of sibilance.

Prior to that I played Black Lion's reissue of Dexter Gordon's "Both Sides Of Midnight", which comes with both 33 1/3, and 45 RPM versions. The 45 RPM was what I played, each time I play this, the more I come to appreciate the job Black Lion did on the reissue, and, of course, the excellent playing on this live date in Copenhagen.

This all made me realize I need to revisit cartridge set-up on the ESCCO modded Zu 103R, as it sounds a bit "grainy", compared to the XX2. Or, the Dynavector is just that much better, but it bears some checking out to be sure. Good stuff.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 02, 2014 21:05

Dave: Honey,... Having me sleep on the couch last night made me realize something...... YOUR NEW CABLES ARE FANTASTIC!!!

isochronism January 26, 2014 20:52

Her birthday is coming up, great idea Brett!! The perfect present. And yes I'll be sleeping on the couch.

jetrexpro January 26, 2014 17:52

What is the worst that can happen? She make's you sleep on the couch...
.... which just happens to be in the sweet spot..... HA

isochronism January 26, 2014 17:13

Since your wife's career is music oriented, order them in pink (Joe offers a variety of colored Teflon sleeves) add a pretty bow on them and tell her they were specially designed for women's hearing abilities. You know, the same type of BS that Audiophiles have been believing for years...

isochronism January 26, 2014 16:51

When I come over.... introduce me as Harry

isochronism January 26, 2014 15:10

If I do order them immediately I will blame you and Brett when my wife asks why I spent MORE money on my stereo :)

jetrexpro January 26, 2014 13:13

I will be interested in your impressions of the Tempo Silver cable. I won't be at all surprised if you order your own immediately. Thousands can be spendt, but for my money, these can't be bettered.

They make those EML's sound even better!

Enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan January 25, 2014 19:27

Dan,
I have talked Brett into bringing his Tempo Electric speaker cables over next time he visits. BTW, The lower mids of these EML300bXLS is beguiling! Your comment about cello came to mind tonight while listening after a very cold day here in the east. So much depth, inner resolution and richness. Viola and Cello sound wonderfully real. So much expression, I can see and feel the bow on the string. Whoa!
jet

jetrexpro January 25, 2014 03:32

System edited: Added Tempo Electric 12 gauge solid-core siver speaker cables (two pair, one pair for each power amp). This has made for resolution and detail I didn't know my Tannoys were capable of. Amazing cables, at a very down-to-earth price. Also added a Velodyne eq Max 15" subwoofer. Tympanis, when struck, now have all the impact they should have, without an artificial "boom", as many lesser subs have. Regards, Dan

islandmandan January 22, 2014 19:45

Charles, with the silvers, the VAC sounded better than I ever knew it could. Detail, resolution, and presence that I did not know it, and the Tannoys were capable of.

The VAC doesn't quite equal the SET, I don't think, due to the nature of 300B tubes in general, and the XLS 300B in specific. It is astonishingly good, though, it makes me very, very glad I didn't sell it. Kevin and Brent at VAC can be proud of the upgrade work they did on it for me.

This is the kind of performance I was hoping to have for all the many years I have enjoyed and been in audio. The VAC and SET 300B are very close in performance (in fact, the VAC sounds very SET-like with the silver cables).

What the silver did for the VAC, it does for the SET. I believe I am now getting the full measure of what the EML 300B XLS tubes are capable of (at least with my little modded Assemblage SET 300B).

This, to me, is an incredible turn of events. Hearing music like this in my home was not something I thought I would ever experience, due to shallow pockets. It goes to show, it's not how much you spend, it's what you spend it on.

Dave, I didn't have any specific reason to choose 12 gauge for the silver cables, I have just always used 10-12 gauge speaker cables. It has nothing to do with specific electrical values, just personal preference. I am a real layperson when it comes the very technical stuff.

I can't say enough about Tannoys.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan January 12, 2014 23:24

Dan,
Does your VAC set up with silver cable now equals the SET amplifier system?
Charles,

charles1dad January 12, 2014 22:11

Hello Brett, Charles, Dave,

I tried the VAC/Auditorium A 23 together last night, and while it sounded very good, it's not in the same league as with the TE Silvers. Guess I'll have to give Joe Levy a call for another set of silver TE cables.

While I would love to get together for some quality listening here, we are unfortunately quite a far-flung group. Maybe some day!

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan January 12, 2014 21:11

Dan,
Tempo Electric also sells several gauges of speaker wire. What influenced your decision to get 12 gauge? On their site they recommend 16 gauge for 1-19 watt amps.

Thanks!

jetrexpro January 11, 2014 23:11

Dan, As you may know that I also use the same Tempo SC's. (un-terminated at both ends) With much research I had decided on these and also went Tempo IC's (XLR-RCA, pre to amps) I have not compared these to any other cables in these two positions. I recently considered the Audioquest Everest (SC's) They use "counter spiraling technology" and "spread spectrum technology" so they got to be good and are only $21,000, tho, they are not silver, so I held off.
I agree with your good taste in music and equipment !

isochronism January 11, 2014 22:35

Hi Dan,
Not surprised at your solid core silver cable-SET success, I find this combination an ideal match. Natural, beautiful and real.
Charles,

charles1dad January 11, 2014 20:59

The Tempo Electric solid core/teflon tube cable went on the SET 300B/Tannoy setup last night, and the improvements were on the same level as with the VAC/Tannoys.

Cello and piano were huge in my listening room with Onslow sonatas, acoustic jazz was reproduced in the same fashion.

I heard detail that I did not know Tannoys were capable of. Needless to say, the Tempo Electric silver cables will stay on the SET/Tannoy combination. I will decide after I listen to the VAC/Auditorium A23, if that matchup works well enough to keep it that way.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan January 11, 2014 20:15